Medical and Psychosocial Risk Profiles for Low Birthweight and Preterm Birth

Objectives: Low birthweight and preterm birth are risk factors for infant mortality and persistent problems. This study uses representative data to assess whether distinct latent profiles of co-occurring medical and psychosocial factors have implications for preterm birth and low birthweight. Methods: Data are from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a cross-sectional survey constituting representative data on pregnancies from 2012 to 2013. Latent class analysis derived classes of pregnant women potentially at risk for low birthweight and/or preterm birth. Results: Latent class analysis identified five homogenous profiles of interrelated psychosocial and medical factors. Risk was greatest for the profile marked by high rates of medical factors, followed by a high risk for a profile marked by a combination of very low income and psychosocial factors. Two profiles involving low income and very low income also indicated greater risk for adverse birth outcomes related to socioeconomic status. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to screening for and addressing psychosocial risk in concert with prenatal care. Women who show high-risk profiles can be monitored and supported by an interdisciplinary care team, when warranted. (C) 2019 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.